Automatic photographic-printing machine.



R. c. N E FFLJ AUTOMATIC PHOTOGRAPHIOPRINHNG MACHINE;

APPLICATION FILED APR. 24; 191 5.

' "Patented Oct. 10, 1916' .2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

INYENTOR UNITED STATES PATENT. FICE; i

ROBERT CASSELLMAN NEFF, or NEW YORK, N. Y., AssIenoR, B'YDIRECT Am) MESQNE ASSIGNMENTS, TU NEFF & LUMLEY, INC., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK,

AUTOMATIC PHOTOGRAPHIC-PBIINTING, MACHINE.

Application filed April 24, 1915. Serial No. 23,619.-

To all whom it may concern: j Be it known that I, ROBERT CAssELL AN NEFF a citizen of the United States of America, residing in the borough of Brooklyn, county of Kings, city and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Photographic-Printing Machines,- of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to automatic photographic printing machines :and ;has for its object toproduce a machine'wh'ich can be used for automatic printing from negatives, or for the automatic production of enlarge ments, and which in use is susceptible of such adjustments for varyingthe length'of time of exposure, that satisfactory prints or enlargements are automatically produced, notwithstanding that various times of exposure are required. In carrylng my 1nvention into efiect Lhave provided a controlling device for controlling the time'of exposure, which is capableof adjustment to as exact a point as isfound necessary or desirable, and upon the termination of the interval which has been select-ed'as the proper time for exposure, .the apparatus is automatically restored to a condition for a fresh exposure, and this restoration includes" automatic operation of the feeding devices whereby the sensitive material last ex posed is removed from the pointof exposure and a fresh's'upply of sensitive material is advanced to such pointandnieans' for-adjusting such devices to vary'the'feed.

Many advantageousfiresults" are accomplished by means of my inve'ntion', and these will not here be repeated at length, but are set forth in'the accompanying, description and claims.

A desirable form in which the invention may be embodied is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein- Figure 1 is a vertical section of an apparatus constructed according to my invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation'there of, and Fig.

tion of the exposure, and accordingly, I provide a fluid receptacle A to which fluid under pressure is admitted through an "inlet port a, and from which it is exhausted Specification of Letters latent.

Patenteaoct. 10, 1916.-

- through an outlet port a The'passage of the pressure fluid into the receptacle A causes the expansion of an expansible portion D, and this expansible portion continues to expand under the effect of the con stantly admitted pressure fluid flowing in, through the inlet, until it reaches the limit. of expansion, and the rate of expansion is period of exposure. The extent of the expansion of this portion D is made adjustable which tend to open the outlet 0: and relieve the pressure from the receptacle A. Thereuponthe press'ure'from the said receptacle being relieved, other devices which I term restoring devices are set to Work, and these include a so-called connector E' which-enregulated by a needle valve G to controlthe gages the expansible portion of the recepta'cle and is spring-held thereagainst so that i contracted position by the spring pressure upon the exhaustion of the pressure in the said-receptacle itis reduced to its normal or of the; connector. At the same time the-re-.-

storing devices actuatea feed whereby the sensitive material, which may be film or sen-1 sitive paper, is shifted so as to wind up orremove the recently exposed partand advance to the point of exposure a fresh-supply; This having been accomplished, the

restoring devicesthereupon, and as a part of, the same operation, close the outlet from the receptacle and simultaneously open the inlet, and this is accomplished by shifting a valve L. y

In order to obtain the desired exact adjustment of time of exposure, I provide meansforregulating the'admission of fluid to the receptacle A and the adjusting device I is illustrated as the valve G. The fluid pres-f sure receptacle A is illustrated in its preferred form as divided into two chambers,

B and .C, and the passage-of the pressure fluid, for which purpose I prefer to use air, to the chamber G-which contains the expansible. wall D, is .controlled by the needle valvejflGg which is preferably situated in a passage H which leads from the chamber B,

into, which the ports open, to the chamber C.' ,Thi s needle valve extends through to the outside of the casing where its headxg is exposedfor' adjustment of the said valve.

The chamber .B is preferably provided with a front'wall or diaphragm b of flexlble material. This material forms anapron which presses against the rear of the sensitive material and holds the same firmly'and with the desired smoothness and evenness against the plate in front of the same. By reason of the fact that it has no tendency to adhere to the sensitive material employed,

I very much prefer rubber, for the material formingthis flexible apron. 1 Upon the be ginning of pressure in the pressure chamber posure, and this'period may be made longer or. shorter accordingto the adjustment of the needle valve G whereby the rate of admission of air or other pressure fluid employed to the expansible chamber C is controlled. The termination of the period of v exposure is caused when the chamber C has expanded to the full. allowed extent. This allowed extent may be varied,'if desired, by adjusting devices shown fand this adjustment,.as will be hereinafter described, is for the purpose of varying the extent of feed of the sensitized material pastthe point of exposure. It will be seen, therefore, that the time. of exposure is'dependent solely upon the rate of admission of pressure fluid to the pressure chamber C, and is entirely disconnected from the extent to which the said chamber is permitted to expand. The extent to which the said chamber is permitted to- .expand is determined by the amount of feed of the sensitized material required. If an increased feed is-desired an increase of expansion in vessel C is required and there will consequently be an increased degreeof movement of the restoring devices which return the'expanded chamber to its original form, and at the same time operate the feed and the amount of sensitized ma terial fed will be increased. Therefore the feed is operated at the termination of the period of exposure and serves to remove the exposed material and to bring a fresh supply.

The invention is capable of employment either in the making of prints from a pl1otographic negative or in the production of enlargements. In its employment for one or the other of these purposes, modifications may be made in the mechanism illustrated and other or equivalent devices employed, but the principle of the invention as set forth in the appended claims, is applicable for either of these uses.

' I will now proceed to describe the manner inwhich I have illustrated my invention in the accompanying drawing, and which, although it is the best form now known to me in which the invention may be embodied, I

realize full well may be modified in many respects, and the devices which I illustrate for accomplishing certain of the movements is provided with a suitable number of light producing apparatus suchas the electric lamps z', and the frame is well provided with a suitable light diffusing material such as the removable translucent or opalescent glass 2. The frame may advantageously be equipped with a substantial sheet of clear glass i which may quite well be of 5% or inch thickness and is removable. Upon this the negative J is supported by suitable 'means, as for'instance, by the overhanging ledge j of the frame. The, sensitive material K is contained upon a supply roll is from which it is fed to the pointy of exposure in front of the frame, and thence it is drawn by feeding roll 70 suitably operated as by means hereinafter described, and thence suitably disposedof, as for instance, by be:

ing conveyed to a developing or toning bath, etc. They rolls 7:, 701 are suitably supported in arms 70', 70 (Fig. The receptacle A is divided, as stated, into two chambers B, C connected by the passage H which contains the needle valve G, whereby the passage of the pressure fluid from the chamber B to which the same is admitted, to the chamber C which contains the expansible portlon, is controlled, and regulated as desired and thereby the period of exposure is regulated. The front chamber B contains the flexible apron 7) which presses against the sensitive paper. lVhen a larger opening than that provided by the needle valve G is required, the threaded bushing G in which the needle valve is mounted may be unscrewed past port H to the desired extent, providing an inlet passage from B to 0 adjustable to the full size of the passage G in which the bushing is threaded if desired. The inlet passage (4 and the outlet passage a are controlled by a valve L which has a passage Z through it having a port adapted to register with the inlet port (1. when it is desired that the pressure fluid should be adllO mitted. There are a number of outlet ports n for the purpose of quickly exhausting the receptacle A, and at the time the pressure valve closes all of the said outlet ports. The valve slides longitudinally in its casing and ,Lisadapted to be moved so as to uncover allof the outlet ports and exhaustthe pressure from-the receptacle A, and at this time the.

inlet port a is closed, so that the suppl ,iof;

pressure fluid is shut ofl. -The"passage is the only communication between the two 7 chambers B and C of the receptacle .A when -'the pressure fluid is being admitted at a, ,(but when thesaid pressure fluid is shut. Off' .against a valve seat in the said passage and opens away from the chamber C, so that while it will yield under thepressure in G to open the said passage upon a sudden re-- duction of pressure'in the chamber B, it will close the said passage upon an increase, of pressure in the said chamber B.

Theexpansible portion of the receptacle A is illustrated as formed as the rear wall of the chamber C, and for this purpose I have preferably employed a flexible diaphragm D or wall of leather. flue expansion of the said diaphragm is against the enlarged' disk-shaped heade of a connector or' slide E. This connector has a stem e which slides in a suitable guide N secured at the 5 i ea'r of the apparatus by arms 97.. An abutment F is threaded upon the threaded exterior of the guide N and provides a movable stop by adjustment of which the extent of travel of the connector E maybe determined and theextent of sensitive material to be Withdrawn may be regulated as desired. In the apparatus illustrated the withdrawal of the sensitized material from the point of exposure terminates the expos'ure, I The valve L is illustrated in Fig. 1 in a position, in which it isv adapted to admit pressure fluid through the inlet valve 1;. In this position the valve is exposed to the effect of the pressure of the fluid in the receptacle A,.which would have the effect of forcing the said valve towardthe rear, or so as tocover the inlet port a. Topreven-t this I provide means for maintaining thesaid valve in position, and'these means, as illustrated, take the form of a swinging bar' P which is pivoted to the "frame at p and" passes through a slot Z in the guiding tailpiece Z of the said valve. The bar P is maintained in lockedposition by a latch g that passes through a small-slot :0 in the i end of the said bar and is pivoted at g to a fixed point and is maintained in looking position by a spring 9 The bar 9 is the armature ar of a magnet Q, which is in electric circuit R that is closed when the v connector E reaches the full limit of its travel caused by the expansion of the wall D as determined the adjustmentof the abutment F. At this time the stem 6 engages against a sliding switch closer S and 1 makes contact 'betWeen'the' spring switch member 7 and switch member 7 closing'the circuit.

"fol:

, An important part of invention is the me';ans above referred to, by which, when "theire'ceptacle A is exhausted of its pres- 1 sure 'at the end of the period of time deters f mined upon for the exposure, the apparatus is automatically put in condition forafreshoperation by the removal of theexposed paperffron: the point of exposure and the feeding of afresh supply of sensitive paper '"to such. point, and by the renewal of the pressure in receptacle A. The means'for performing these functions are controlled primarily by the pressure inthe receptacle A, and are operated upon the reduction of such pressure. -The pressure in,the said receptacle maintains the head 6 of the slide or connector E in positionagainst'the resistanee of certain springs, but upon the exhaustionv of the said pressure the springs operate, the restoring-devices. The pressure is exhaustedfrom the chamber A when the I connector Erhas reached its desired limit of. travel by the opening of 'theexhaust ports through the shifting of valve L upon circuit R being closed, and such exhaustion is assist'ed'by means to be described. A rock shaft V is mounted in bearings to, u, on

posts Y, forming brackets for carrying the arms n. Upon this shaft V is fixed a swinging arm 1) which has a pin and slot connecis" pressed by torsion spring U toward the wall .D. This spring is-coiled around the shaft V and has one end fixed in the bearing u'on one of the arms 02, and the other end is fast in the hub of the arm 4). The torsion and upon a reduction in pressure in the ves- I tion with the stem e and the end of which sel C the spring activelyassi sts in expelling the said pressure fluid and in rendering the apparatus prompt and eflicient in action.

Coincidently with the operation of the'ex hausting means, the operation of devices which terminate the exposure is also begun. In the apparatus illustrated such termination is accomplished by the sensitized material feed. When the feed is accomplished the pressure renewal .means Operate, beginning a fresh exposure. As illustrated, the operation of these restoringmeans is 'eifected by a restoring arm W which is fixed uponan end of the shaft V and is under the influence of the spring U assisted if desired by a coiled spring T that tends to pull the same toward the front of the machine. storing arm W provides a means whereby the feed is accomplished and theexposure terminated and the pressure is restored to The re,

the receptacle A; Upon the lower end of the said restoring arm is a sector to of a rack which engages in a pinion-w upon the lower-feed roll 70 .As the rack is moved to the right in Fig. 1 upon the expansion of the chamber C to an extent determined by adjustment of abutment F, it moves the pinion idly by reason of,the pawl and ratchet mechanism X, but when it-is moved roll 70 counter-clockwise in said figure and to the left of the said figure under the influ ence of-the springs T and U, the pawl and ratchet mechanism engage and consequently the rack 10,- through its pinion e0 turns the feeds the exposed sensitive material away from the point of exposure-and draws a fresh supply of sensitive material K from the supply roll. 70, the amount so fed and withdrawn being determined by the adjust-' ment of the abutment F. I

l/Vhen the restoring arm W moves for ward, an inwardly projecting arm 10 engages against the pivoted valve arm P which then occupies the position shown in dotted lines i rFig. 1 and carries the same forward, and with it the valve L until it reaches the 7 position shown in fulllines in said figure, in

which position it is held by the latch A brake arm of mounted'to turn upon the end of the shaft V opposite the restoring arm lVengages abrake drum 70 near the end of the roll is at substantially the completion of the forward. or feedingmovement of the restoring arm and prevents the upper roll 70 from ov'errunning at the cessation of the feed. This brake exerts a constant friction upon the drum by reason of spring 70 at all times. It is caused to press with a positive braking effect upon the drum byan adjustable screw/s threaded in arm 70 fixed on shaft V. Y

Operation: Starting with the apparatus shown in the: full. line position of Fig. 1 wherein an exposure has just been completed and the expansible vessel '0 has its wall D in fully expanded position, in this from t e receptacle A, both from chamber B as well as from chamber C through passage M, and finally out through exhaust orts a and this operation will be expedited by the pressure of the springs T and U exerted through the arm'o upon the connector head a. The exhaustion of pressure storing arm 7, under the influence of its springs T and U, to be drawn forward or to the left ,in Fig. 1, and its rack w acting upon the pinion w and through the pawl and ratchet X, will turn the "lower paper feed .roll k counter-clockwise, asseen in Fig. 1, and will thereupon terminate the exposure by withdrawing from its former position the sensitive'material that has been last exposed, and will, at the same time, drawa fresh supply of material into such position from the supply roll is. The

withdrawn will be determined by the adjustment of the abutment F'which permits an increased or diminished amount of travel of the connector E and .arm W as it is adjusted back or forward and consequently as the arm W travels back fart-her its effective feeding movement toward the front of the machine will be increased, and the amount of sensitized -material fed will be adjusted to the requirements of each case.- The brake w? will at this time prevent any overrunning of material from the supply roll 70. In its forward movement the arm 10 on the restoring arm W will hit against the valve arm P and will carry the valve'to the position shown in full lines in Fig. l, where it will be locked by its latch and in which position the outlet valves will be closed and the inlet valve opened, so that a fresh supply of pressure fluid may be admitted.

The means for regulating the feed of pressure fluid from chamber B to chamber C forms an important part of my-invention, as by the aid thereof I. am enabled to determine the time of expansion of the receptacle A regardless of its limit of inflation as regulated by F to as close limits as are necessary, notwithstanding slight fluctuations in the supply of pressure fluid. The adjustable character of the said means enables me to control the timing of the exposure, and the adjustable abutment F, provides a substantially exact control over the paper feed.

The inlet port a is illustrated as commrinieating directly with the-atmosphere, but it will be understood, of course, that this is intended to be connected-to a fluid pressure tank or pump, or other propersource of amount of sensitizedmaterial so fed and fluid pressure supply, preferably I use a pressure blower.

In the use 'of my inventionin the production of enlargements, the flexible apron b is not used to press against the sensitive material K but this material is passed in front of the glass 2' which is moved to the place now occupiedby the negative and the negative and glass 2' are omitted, whereupon the glass 2' will act as a platen for the sensitive material K and will be-in contact with 65 from the receptacle A willpermit the re- I the back or unsensitized part .thereof. The

sensitive material will be passed through the same opening in the frame I as illustrated. The enlargement will then be projected by the use of an enlarging camera in the ordinary manner. The said camera forms no part of this invention and as its construction is well known it is not illustrated. The light box I will then be omitted and the apparatus will act in the manner described for the timing of the enlargements and feeding the sensitive material.

The period of exposure is illustrated in the foregoing application as being terminated by the withdrawal of the exposed sensitized material and the feeding of a fresh supply to the point of exposure. But I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to this mode of. terminating the period of exposure. Such period of exposure is frequently terminated by shutting pff the light or interposing a shutter between the light and. the sensitized material (in case the print isv small enough to render this feasible), and my invention is to be considered in connection with these well known 1 equivalents. 7 Although I have illustrated the paper feed as controlled by the action of the restoring devices, this is not essentialto the automatic-action of the apparatus, as the feed might be otherwise controlled or, it might be intermittent.

Although I have illustrated the most a'd-' vantageous manner of constructing my invention now known to me, it will be obvious that portions thereof are capable of sepa- "rate use and that it will be within the ability i of those skilled in .the art to substitute other and equivalentv devices for those illustrated; within the limits of the appended claims. What I claim is g I 1. In a machine of the character described,

'means for exposing sensitized material eombined with automatic means for controlling the length of'exposure thereof'and means to vary the time of such exposureflasdesired, means for terminating the exposure, and a connection between such controlling means and the exposure terminating means, whereby such last named means ,is opera'tiv'ely associated therewith.-

2. In amachine of the character'described,

means for exposing sensitizedmaterial com-.

bined with a plate, a fluid pressure receptacle adapted to press such material against the plate at the point of exposure, adjustable means for relieving such pressure at variable intervals to vary the time of use; posure' as desired, and a connection between such" ress'ure relieving means andthe feed v where y the feed is operatively associate therewith.

3. In a machine of the character described,

valve operating means adjustable-t such operation at variable intervalstas' de-' sired, .said valve operating means controlling "the operation of said .feed and having an ad-' bined with automatic means for regulating v the length of exposure, comprising a receptacle containing a fluid pressure chamber, a device for relieving the pressure in such receptacle, and means for causing the same to operate at variable intervals, as desired, and means for terminating the exposure operatively associated with said pressure relieving means.

4. In a machine of the character described, means for supporting sensitized paper at the point of. exposure adapted to feed same "vast such point, automatic means for reguating the length of exposure comprising a receptacle containing a fluid pressure chamber, means for admitting fluid pressure therein, means for relieving such pressure,

and means for controlling said pressure relieving means adjustable to act at variable intervals as desired, and said controlling means adapted to variably control the operation of said feed. I

5. In a machine of the character described,

means for regulating the .length of exposure,

comprising a receptacle containing a fluid pressure chamber and provided with inlet and outlet' ports, port controlling means adapted to cause one or the other of said ports to be opened, and a device for operat ing the same adjustable to cause such operation at variable intervals as desired, and

'means for terminating the exposure, said operating device variably controlling the opv,

ing a receptacle containing a fluid pressure chamber and providedwith inlet and outlet ports, a valve adapted to open 'oneorthe other of said ports according to posit' at the same time to close theot justment to control the amount thereof.

7. Ina machine of the character described, means for supporting sensitized paper at the point, of exposure adapted to feed same past such point and means for regulating n and" the length of exposure and feed comprising an expansible receptacle containinga fluid pressure chamber and provided with inlet and outlet ports, a valve adapted to open ofne or the'other of said portsaccording to position and at thesame time to close the other port, 'valve operating means comprising an abutment for -said receptacle, and

means operated by contact of said receptacle with saidabutment to cause said valve Operation, means for contracting saidv expansible chamber upon the release of pressure, and means whereby said sensitive material 'feed is caused to operate upon the operation of said contracting means.

8 In a machine of the character described, means for supporting sensitized paper at the point of exposure adapted to feed. same past such point, means for regulating the length of exposure comprising an expansible fluid pressure receptacle, a connector adapted to be moved by the expansion of said receptacle, an abutment for such connector adjustable to vary the movement thereof, said receptacle having an inlet for fluid and an outlet, means for opening said outlet automatically actuated by the travel of said connector to its limit. and means for ble fluid pressure receptacle, a connector adapted to be moved by the expansion of said chamber, an abutment for said connector adjustable to vary the movement thereof, said receptacle having inlet and outlet ports, a valve controlling said ports and adapted to alternately open one and close the other and vice versa, means for operating said valve to open said outlet port controlled by said connector at its extreme travel, and means for retracting said connector adapted to open the pressure inlet and to operate said paper feed, the variation in adjustment of said abutment controlling the extent of said paper feed.

10. In a machine of the character described, means for supporting sensitized .paper at the point of exposure and adapted to feed variable distances, means for regulating the length of exposure comprising an expansible fluid pressure receptacle having inlet and outlet ports, means to close one valve as the other one opens and vice versa, means actuated by the expansion of said receptacle to open the outlet valve and close the inlet, and a spring actuated restoring device operable upon .a release in pressure in said receptacle to collapse the same, and having connections whereby the same is adapted to actuate the paper feed and at the same time to automatically close the outlet and open the inlet to said receptacle.

11. In a. machine of the character described, means for supporting sensitized pa per at the point of exposure adapted to feed same past such point, means for regulating the length of exposure comprising an expansible fluid pressure receptacle, a con nector adapted to be moved by the expanflexible Wall, and. a

sion of said chamber, an abutment for said connector adjustable to limit the travel thereof, said receptacle having an inlet port communicating with a source of fluid under pressure and an outlet port, a valve adapted to open either of said ports according to position and at the same time close the other, means for moving said valve to open the outlet, caused to operate by the connector having reached the limit of its travel, and a spring actuated restoring device adapted to retract said connector, thereby collapsing said receptacle and at the same time to operate the feed and shift the valve, the varia tion in adjustment of said abutment controlling thecxtent of said paper feed.

12. In a machine of the character described, a plate support, a support for sensitized paper and feeding devices for said paper, a receptacle having a fluid pressure chamber and having a flexible apron adapted to press said paper against said plate, said receptacle having inlet and outlet ports and adapted to expand upon the admission of pressure, means adapted to be operated upon the expansion of said receptacle to vent the pressure from said receptacle, said means adjustable to vary the time of exposure, and length of feed, and means for restoring the receptacle to unexpandcd condi tion. which operate the paper reed and restore pressure to said receptacle.

13. In a photographic printing machine. a support for sensitized material at the point of exposure and a feed for said sensitizcd material, a receptacle having a fluid' pressure chamber and a flexible apron adapted to press said sensitized material against the negative, said receptacle having inlet and outlet ports and an expansion chamber and having a passage leading to Silul expansion chamber, adjustable controlling means tor said passage, a movable connector adapted to be moved by the expansion of said chamber, an alultmcnt for said connector adjustable to vary the extent of its i'novemeut, and amount of feed, means adapted to be operated upon the movement of said connector to its limit to exhaust both chambers of said receptacle, and spring actuated restoring means adapted to restore said expansion chamber to uuexp anded condition and to operate said fecdand admit pressure fluid to said receptacle.

14.111 a machine of the character described, a support for sensitized material at the point of eximsure and a variable teed therefor, a fluid pressure reraptacle, a, partition separating same into iuo FllfllllljtliK one of the chambers having an inlet and an outlet port and'the other chamber having a passage bciz provided between said char :rs \vi" 1' adjustable valve therein for *"ying l o'lf ex posure, devices com elled .is on nector adapted to be moved scribed, means for supporting sensitive ma terial at the point of exposure and a feeding-device therefor, means for regulating the exposure period comprising a fluid pressure receptacle having inlet and outlet ports,

a flexible wall for said receptacge, a cony t e expansion of said Wall, means for exhausting pressure from said receptacle operated by said connector at'its extreme movement, means for varying the speed of said connector and thereby controlling said exposure period, spring retracting means for said connector whereby upon the exhaustion of said pres sure, said connector restores said receptacle to ts unexpanded condition, and means 0p- "la te'd, by said restoring means foractuatg the feed and admitting pressure to said ceptaclel r i 4-16. In a. machine of the character described, means for supporting sensitized ma- "terial at theipoint of exposure, means for.

regulating the exposure period comprising a fluid pressure receptacle having inlet and outlet ports and a valve adapted to close one and at the same time open the other and v1ce versa, sald fluid pressure chamber having an expansible portion, adjustable means for limiting the rate of expansion of said portion and thereby varying the timeof exposure', a locking catch adapted to hold said valve in position to admit pressure fluid, and electro-magnetic means for releasing said locking catch, and an electric circuit closed by said receptacle at its full allowed expansion for operating said electromagnetic means, whereby the fluid pressure 1n said receptacle causes said valve to unlock andto close the inlet and open the outl' 17.- In a machine of the character described, means for supporting sensitive material at the point of exposureand a variable feeding device for said material, a fluid pressure receptacle having inlet and outlet ports and an expansible portion, adjustable means for varying the rate of expansion' and thereby varying the time of ex-' posure, adjustable means for varying the limit of. such expansion and thereby determining the amount of feed, means operated upon the expansion of said portion to its limit for exhausting pressure from said re ceptacle, and spring actuated means for re:

storing said receptacle to unexpanded con- -d1t1on upon such exhaust1on', said restoring means actuating said feed and closing said outlet and openingvthe inlet to said receptacle, and means for terminating the period of exposure actuated by said restoring means.

. 18. in a machine ofthe character described, means for supporting sensitive material at thepoint of exposure'and an ad-- justable feeding device for said material, a fluid pressure receptacle having inlet and outlet ports and a valve adapted to close one and at the same time open the other and vice versa, and an expansible portion and means controlled by the said expansion for exhausting the pressure from said receptacle adjustable to vary the sensitive material feed, and a spring retracted restoring slide engaging said expansible portion and pressing the same to unexpanded condition upon exhaustion of pressure, and operating connections from said restoring slide to said Valve, whereby the Valve is shifted at the same operation, and exposure terminating means operated by said restoring means.

19. In a photographic printing machine, a fluid receptacle having two chambers, one of said chambers having inlet and outlet ports and having a flexible apron adapted to press againstsensitive' material, the other chamber being expansible, means for expos ing sensitized material, means operated upon the expansion of said chamber for terminating the period of exposure, an adjustable means for regulating the passage of fluid from one chamber to the other. thereby controlling the degree of expansion of said chamber and consequently the length of ex-- posure, and means for admitting'pressure fluid to said receptacle.

20. In a. machine of the character described, means for feeding sensitized material past the point of exposure, a fluid re ceptacle having two chambers'one of said the other chamber being expansible and com tractible, means operated by said expansible chamber when expanded to its full allowed amount for actuating said feeding means, means for varying the extent of expansion of said expansible chamber and thereby varying the feed, adjustable means for varying the passage of fluid to said expansible chamber and therebyvaryipg. the period of chambers having inlet and outlet ports and exposure, and means for supplying said receptacle with pressure fluid. a

21. In a photographic printing machine,

means for supporting sensitized material atthe point of exposure and feeding it past said point. means for controlling the exposure perlod comprising a fluid receptacle v havingtwo chambers, one of said chambers having inlet and outlet ports and the other.

chamber being expansible and contractible,

means for controlling the extent of expansion and, thereby controlling theextent of feed,'and' adplstable means for controlling pansion of said chamber for venting the pressure from .said receptacle, and means actuated by the expansion of said expansible chamber to its full adjustment for feeding.

. the sensitized material and thereby terminating the exposure and at the same time admitting pressure fluid to 'said receptacle.

22. A machine of the character described, comprising a plate, means for supporting sensitized material relative thereto, comprising a flexible apron adapted to contact With said sensitized material and press same against said plate, afluid pressure receptacle having. an expansible compartment and a receiving compartment, said-flexible apron forming one side of said receiving compartment, an adjustable valve for admitting fluid from the receiving compartment to the expansible compartment, means for admitting pressure fluid to said receptacle and means for relieving the pressure therefrom, both said means being operated by the expansion of said expansible compartment,

said adjust-able ,valve providing means for varying the period .of exposure by varylng the time of expansion of said expansible chamber, and means for terminating said exposure actuated by'said expansible chamber at its full allowed expansion, according to ad ustment. I i I 23. A machine of the character described, comprising a plate having a smooth surface, means for supporting sensitized paper relative thereto comprising a flexible apron adapted to contact with said sensitized paper and press, same. against said plate, said apron forming one side of a fluid pressure chamber, means for admitting the pressure fluid to said chamber, automatic means for relieving the pressure in said chamber, and variable timing means for controlling the operation of said pressure relieving means adjustable to vary the length of exposure.

24:. A machine of the character described, comprising a plate having a smooth surface, means for supporting sensitized paper relative thereto comprising a flexible apron adapted to contact with said sensitized paper and press same against said plate, said apron forming one side of a pressure fluid chamber, means for admitting the pressure .fluid to said chamber, automatic means for relieving the pressure in said chamber, and

variable timing means for controlling the operation of said pressure relieving means adjustable to vary the length of exposure,- combined with an automatic variable feed the point of exposure, an expansible fluid pressure chamber, adjustable means for regulating the admission of pressure fluid thereto, adjustable means for limiting the expansion of said chamber, a valve for controlling the admission of pressure fluid to said expansible chamber, a lock for holding said valve in position to admit such pressure flu1d,'ai1d electromagnetic means op- I erated by the expansion of sald expansible chamber toits limit for releasing said lock, and means for operating said paper feeding means actuated by the expansion of said chamber. I

26. In a device of the character described, an expansible fluid pressure chamber havinginlet and outlet ports, a valve adapted to alternately open one of said ports and close the other, a lock for holding said valve i in position to open the inlet port and close the outlet port, and electro-magnetic means operated by the expansion of the fluid pressure chamber for releasing said lock.

27. In a device of the character described,

paper feed devices, anexpansihle fluid pres sure chamber having inlet and outlet ports, a valve adaptedto .open one of said ports andclose the other according to ad ustment,

means for regulating the-admission of pres-' sure fluid to said expansible chamber, said means adapted to control the operation of said paper feeddevices and thereby to con trol the exposure, an adjustable device for limiting the extent of expansion of said adjustable chamber and controlling the said paper feed, and restoring devices for exhausting pressure from said chamber upon the completion of the exposure and. for renewing said pressure for a fresh exposure, and said feeding devices and restoring devices automatically operated when said expansible chamber has reached the .limit of its travel.

28; In adevice of the character described, an expansible fluid pressure chamber having inlet and outlet ports, a valve adapted'to close one of said ports and open the other according to adjustment, means for regulating the exposure period comprising an ad justa-ble valve for regulating the admission of fluid pressure from said inlet port to said expansible chamber, a movable part moved by the expansion of said expansible chamher, an adjustable abutment for limiting the extent of said movement, means for shifting said valve to uncover the outlet. ports when the expansible chamber has reached its limit of travel, an automatically acting restoring arm operable coincidentally with the shifting of such valve for variably feeding the sensitive material and terminating the 8X Dosure, the extent of such feed being regulated by the amount of expansion of said expansible chamber, said restoring arm adapted upon the completion of its feeding movement to shift the inlet valve for a fresh operation and means for holding said valve in position to admit pressure-fluid until it is again released.

29. In an automatic printing machine, means for regulating the exposure period comprising a fluid pressure expansion chamber, means for regulating the rate of expansion of said chamber, and so regulating the time of exposure, .a traveling controlling device operated by the expansion of said chamber, means for regulating the supply and release of pressure fluid to and from said chamber, means operated by the said traveling controlling member at its limit of travel for terminating the exposure and for operating said pressuiefluid regulating means.v

v 30. In an automatic printing machine, means for regulating the period of exposure comprising a traveling controlling device, and adjustable regulatingmeans for varying the speed of travel of said device, an abutment, a sensitized. material feed and means operated by the contact of the traveling device with said abutment for operating the said feed, and means for regulating the position of said abutment and thereby regulating.

the extent of said feed.

-31. In an automatic printing machine, means for regulating the exposure period comprising a fluid pressure expansion chamber, means for regulating the rate of expansion of said chamber and so regulating the time of exposure, a traveling, controlling device operated by the expansion of said chamber, means for regulating the supply and release of pressure fluid to and from said chamber, an abutment, a sensitized material feed and means operated by the contact of the traveling device with the abutment for operating said feed.

32. In an automatic printing machine,

means-for regulating the exposure period 5 comprising a fluid pressure expansion chamber, means for regulating the rate of expansion of said chamber and so regulating the time of exposure, a traveling controlling device operated by 'theexpansion of said chamber, means for regulating the supply and release of pressure fluid to and from said chamber, an abutment, a paper feed and means operated by the contact of the traveling device with said abutment for operating the paper feed'and for returning the travelingmember'to starting position, and means for regulating the position of said abutment and thereby regulating the extent of said "feed.

33. In a photographic printing apparatus, means for maintaining sensitized material at the point of exposure,and means for controlling the period of exposure, comprising an 

